2. Domo

WAY MORE THAN SUSHI. This is a Japanese restaurant that puts Denver on the map. It specializes in authentic Japanese "country cooking," which means a large variety of delicious, painstakingly prepared hot dishes (almost impossible to find in Japanese restaurants in the U.S.), in addition to the highest quality of sushi. I lived in Japan for more than 2 years and grew up eating Japanese food. I know great Japanese food, and Domo serves it. The beautiful Zen garden and Japanese country-inn decor add to the dining pleasure, and the folk museum and aikido dojo are also worth visiting. We always take friends to Domo, and everyone loves it.